Immigration
TRAVEL OUTSIDE AND REENTRY TO THE UNITED STATES
Travel Under SEVIS for Current Students
What documents do you need to bring with you when travelling:
- A valid passport;
- A valid I-20, travel letter, and other recommended documents (see information in the "Student's Responsibilities" section below);
- A visa: Some countries require a visa for entry. For example:
- For Canada: Please check and find out if you are required to have a Canadian visa to enter Canada:
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/visit/visas.asp
- For Mexico: Please contact the Mexico Consulate office in Seattle to find out if you are required to have a Mexican visa to enter Mexico:
2132 Third Ave., Seattle, WA 98121
Tel: (206) 448-3526 * Fax: (206) 448-4771
Student's responsibilities:
- You go to the International Student Programs (ISP) office and get a signature on page 3 of your SEVIS I-20 at least 3 days before you leave.
- You MUST meet with an ISP advisor if you need to apply for a new visa.
- It is advisabe to carry these supporting documents with you:
class schedule, BCC official transcript, financial documents, and an enrollment verification letter from the ISP office.
- If you have an interview at the U.S. Embassy, be prepared to convince the visa officer that you intend to return to your home country after you complete your studies.
ISP responsibilities:
- Signing your SEVIS I-20 and letter when all required documents are submitted;
Re-entry the U.S. from Canada and Mexico with an expired visa
F-1 students with an expired visa in their passport
may continue to re-enter the US from Canada or Mexico as long as they meet the following criteria:
- Passport and current SEVIS I-20 are still valid.
- You remain in Canada or Mexico for no more than 30 days, and
you do not leave Canada or Mexico during those 30 days.
- You have not applied for a new US visa while in Canada or Mexico and had that application denied.
- You are not from Iraq, Iran, Syria, Libya, Sudan, North Korea, or Cuba.
- Your home country is not Mexico.
Additional Travel Reentry Tips for Current Students
Fernando Caviedes,
Colombia
"I like being able to meet people from other countries. I think this is a good environment to learn in because the teachers make me feel very comfortable in class."
